Switch-lock.



NoslAls. PATENTEDSBPT- 14s, 1906.

R. BRUWN & A.'RALYA.

SWITCH LOCK.

APPLIOATION FILED APB.21.1906.

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UNITED sTATEs vPATENT oEEioE.`

SWITCH-LOCK- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 18, 1906.

Application led April 21, 1906. Serial Noi 313.041.

T0 all whom, it naa/y concern:

Be it known that we, ROY BROWN and ALvA RALYA, citizens of the United States, residing at Karns City, in the county of Butler and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Switch-y Locks, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an improvement in switch-locks, and particularly to an automatic spring-lock adapted to secure the operating-handle of the switch-stand in fixed relation to said stand to prevent unauthorized operation of the switch.

The main object of the present invention is the production of a lock of simple construction arranged for automatic operation to lock the handle of a switch-stand in one position, whereby to prevent elevation to the normal operating plane.

The invention will be described in the following specification, reference being had particularly to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a view in elevation, partly in section, showing the switch-stand provided with my improved lock. Fig. 2 is an enlarged broken vertical section of the same,

illustrating particularly the lock construction. Fig. 8 is a view in elevation of the clutch-collar. Fig. 4 is a broken elevation of a portion of the operating-handle viewed from the inner side.

Referring to the drawings, our improved lock is shown in use with a particular form of switch-stand, wherein 1 comprises a base of any desired coniiguration, in which is vertically mounted for rotation a target-spindle 2, the latter being provided at its lower end with means, as 3, for connection with the switch-tongue. A clutch-sleeve 4 is ixedly mounted in the upper portion of the base and centrally formed to revolubly receive the spindle, the upper portion of the spindle above its engagement with said sleeve being squared in sectional contour, as at 5. An operating-sleeve 6-embraces the squared portion of the spindle, being centrally formed with an opening commensurate in size and shape with said squared spindle, whereby to provide forturning the spindle in the operation of the sleeve. A clutch-collar 7 is arranged for longitudinal movement on the sleeve 6, but constructed to prevent indeendent rotation thereon, for which purpose the sleeve 6 is preferably of angular exterior configuration and the receiving-opening in the collar similarly shaped. The lower edge of the collar 7 and the upper edge ofthe clutch-sleeve 4 are formed for locking engagement when the collar is in lowered position, so that said collar and sleeve provide, in effect, a clutch to prevent rotation of the spindle when connected, it being obvious, however, that elevation of the collar relative to the sleeve 4 will disengage the clutch members and permit independent rotation of thek spindle.

8 represents the operating-handle, comprising a gripping portion which at the inner end is formed into spaced parallel arms 9, designed to embrace the operating-sleeve 6 and be pivotally connected thereto through the medium of a bolt 10. The bolt by preference extends through an opening formed in the spindle, whereby to lock the sleeve andV `spindle in relatively fixed relation. The collar 7 is connected with the operating-handle through the medium of links 11, pivotally connected to said sleeve and to the handlearms 9, so thatl elevation of the handle on its pivot-bolt 10 will disengage the clutch-collar from the clutch-sleeve 4 and permit operation of the handle to turn the spindle 2.

The parts above described are of the usual or well-known type of switch-stand and form no material part of the present invention, it being understood that they are illustrated and described to show the application of our invention and that we contemplate the use of the locking means now to be described in connection with any other well-known or preferred type of stand. In constructing our locking mechanism the clutch-collar 7 is provided with a squared box-like extension 12,l including side walls 13 and end walls 14, said extension or housing being open on the side next the handle 8 and being arranged on the collar 7 at a point to receive said handle when the latter is in a certain determinate position relative to the stand. The upper and lower walls 14 of the housing-incline inwardly and downwardly from their free ends toward the bottom wall of the housing, and

the latter is centrally provided with a keeperlug 15, thefree end of which terminates in alinement with the free ends of the housingwalls, with its upper and lower edges inclining in accordancewith the inclination of said walls,

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' provided on its forward face or the side next the collar 7 with an extension 17, designed to snugly fit Within the housing l2, the upper and lower walls of said extension inclining to correspond with the inclination of the similar walls of the housing. The extension 17 is formed with a recess 18, designed when the extension is within the housing to receive the keeper-lug 15. A latch-bolt 19 is slidably mounted in a channel 20, formed in the enlargement 16 of the operating-handle, said channel being arranged at an upward and forward inclineV relative to the opening 18 and communicating therewith at the lower forward portion of said opening The outer portion of the channell 20 is circumferentially enlarged relative to the inner portion to provide' a recess 21 for the reception Aofa coilspring 22, the forward end of thechannel opening through the lower portion of an enlargement 16 and closed by a screw 28, serving to maintain the spring 22 in place. The circumferential enlargement 21 of the channel 20 provides at its juncture with said channel a shoulder 24, designed to receive the-head of the latch-bolt 19 and limit its inward movement, it being understood that in normal position of the parts the spring 22 serves to maintain the head of the latch-bolt inengagement with this shoulder. latch-bolt 19 is of greater length than the reduced portion of the channel 20, so that the forward end of said bolt projects within the opening 18 in the extension 17. The keeperlug 15 is formed on its under side with a notch or recess 25, designed to receive the projecting-end of the latcl-bol't, the forward face of said latch-bolt being preferably inclined, as shown, to provide for properv engagement with the recess 25. The forward face of the keeper-lug 15 is also downwardly and rearwardly inclined relative to said lug to provide for automatically forcing the latch-bolt within the channel 20 as the handle is moved to locking position, as will later appear, the automatic operation of the latchbolt being of course facilitated by its inclined end, as is usual in structures of this character. The enlargement `16' ofthe operatinghandle is formed with a transversely-arranged opening 26, open through one of the side walls of' said enlargement in the form of a keyhole-slot 27, and the latch-bolt 19 is formed in its upper edge with a notch 28 within the plane of the opening 26, so that a key ofproperr formation introduced through the keyhole-slot may engage said notch and retract the bolt from locking position when desired to release the handle.

In o eration, assuming the parts constructe and arrangedy as described and in the positions illustrated in Fig. 2, the operation of a suitable key will withdraw the latch-bolt from the recess 25 in the keeperlug, permitting the handle to be elevated.

The

This movement of the handle in the particular form of switch-stand illustrated disengages the clutch-collar and clutch-sleeve and permits a movement of the handle to turn the spindle 2, with the effect to set the switch. Upon return of the handle to normal position the latter will drop by gravity to locking position, the extension 17 seating within the housing 12 and the latch-bolt 19 automatically engaging ,the keeper-lug 1'5 preventingelevation of the handle to further operate the switch, except after use of a proper key.

The extension 17 of the handle ts snugly within the housing 12 of the clutch-collar, thereby preventing any lateral movement of the handle, which would tend to break the keeper-lug or disengage the latch-bolt therefrom. In fact, the use of the extension and housing act as an effective reinforce for the direct locking elements and guard against the possibility of a lock being broken. The screw 23 may be adjusted longitudinally of the channel 2O to increase or diminish the tension of the spring 22, the arrangement of the screw further providing for the easy and convenient removal of either the spring or latch-bolt, or both, when desired for renewal or rep air.

4Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new isj 1. A lock for switch-stands comprising a housing projecting from a portion of the stand, an operating-handle, an extension projecting from the handle and snugly fitting the housing, a projection arranged centrally within the housing and engaging an opening formed in the projection a-nd coperating locking elements carried by the housingv and operating-handle, whereby said housing and extension and the engagement of the proj ection within the extension-opening secure the handle against independent lateral movement.

2. A lock for switch-stand comprising a housing projecting from the stand, a keeperlug arranged within the housing, an operating-handle provided with an extension to fit within the housing, said extension being formed with an opening to receive the keeperlug, and a latch-bolt movable within the extension and arranged to engage a recess formed in the keeperl when the parts are in locking position.

3. A switch-lock comprising a housing projecting from a relatively fixed portion of the stand, a keeper-lug secured within the housing, an operating-handle provided with an extension to fit within the housing, said extension being formed with an opening to receive the keeper-lug and with a'channel communicating with said opening, anda latch-bolt slidably mounted in the channel' and adapted to engage the notch formed in the keeper-lug.

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4. A switch-lock. com rising a housing projecting from a relative y fixed portion of the stand, a keeper-lug secured Within the housing, an operating-handle provided With an extension to it Within the' housing, extension being Jformeel With an opening to receive the keeper-lug and With a channel communicating With said opening, a latch- Y holt sliclably mounted in the channel and adapted to engage the notch formed in the keeper-lug, and a spring arranged in the channel and hearing on the latch-bolts to maintain the latter normally in engagement With the keeper-lug.

In testimony whereof We affix our signa- 15 said. tures in presence of tWo Witnesses.

ROY BROWN. ALVA RALYA.

Witnesses:

I. L. CUMBERLAND, CLIFFORD BIXLER. 

